u/TobyFromH-R

TLDR: there's an intermittent issue where there's no effected signal, but if I turn it on/off a couple times and/or probe the Reticon output, then it functions totally fine. When it is in it's non-functioning state, if I probe the Reticon input I have signal, but when I probe the output I get static. I'm wondering if this is what happens when a BBD chip starts going bad, or if it just means that some other component connected to the BBD chip has an intermittent problem? And if the Reticon chip is okay, but something else around it is bad, do I risk damaging it by continuing to use/test it with power connected

More info:

I got this in a non-functioning state, converted from AC to DC, and then I'd get a couple seconds of effect before I'd get a "windy/staticy" noise (more like brown noise than white noise) and then the effect would cut out and I'd just have a clean signal. Bypass signal is always okay.

I tested voltages on the Reticon 5105, clock chip, and other op amps/transistors, and everything seems reasonable, except I had a lowish voltage on the Reticon output. I was thinking maybe it was a bias thing, so I tried adjusting the trims, which were all seized up, but I eventually, carefully, I got them unstuck. Moving the Reticon bias trim back and forth some brough the voltage up on the Reticon output, but where the trim was set initially seemed right judging by ear. Could whatever build up that was making the trims stick also have been making the bias connection faulty? Should I hit all those trims with some deoxit or something?

When it is working properly I get modulated signal on the output and can trace that modulated signal through the rest of the circuit with my probe.

Also weird and worth mentioning: it seems to work more reliably when I'm testing it with a sine wave and probe than when I actually have it connected to a guitar and amp. I assume it's just a coincidence, but could there be something about differences in voltages/impedances that's "jump starting" it or killing it?

Thanks!

TLDR: there's an intermittent issue where there's no effected signal, but if I turn it on/off a couple times and/or probe the Reticon output, then it functions totally fine. When it is in it's non-functioning state, if I probe the Reticon input I have signal, but when I probe the output I get static. I'm wondering if this is what happens when a BBD chip starts going bad, or if it just means that some other component connected to the BBD chip has an intermittent problem? And if the Reticon chip is okay, but something else around it is bad, do I risk damaging it by continuing to use/test it with power connected

More info:

I got this in a non-functioning state, converted from AC to DC, and then I'd get a couple seconds of effect before I'd get a "windy/staticy" noise (more like brown noise than white noise) and then the effect would cut out and I'd just have a clean signal. Bypass signal is always okay.

I tested voltages on the Reticon 5105, clock chip, and other op amps/transistors, and everything seems reasonable, except I had a lowish voltage on the Reticon output. I was thinking maybe it was a bias thing, so I tried adjusting the trims, which were all seized up, but I eventually, carefully, I got them unstuck. Moving the Reticon bias trim back and forth some brough the voltage up on the Reticon output, but where the trim was set initially seemed right judging by ear. Could whatever build up that was making the trims stick also have been making the bias connection faulty? Should I hit all those trims with some deoxit or something?

When it is working properly I get modulated signal on the output and can trace that modulated signal through the rest of the circuit with my probe.

Also weird and worth mentioning: it seems to work more reliably when I'm testing it with a sine wave and probe than when I actually have it connected to a guitar and amp. I assume it's just a coincidence, but could there be something about differences in voltages/impedances that's "jump starting" it or killing it?

Thanks!

I posted about this a couple days ago and have made some progress fixing it up. (Many thanks to u/islandcatman for their previous help).

TLDR: there's an intermittent issue where there's no effected signal, but if I turn it on/off a couple times and/or probe the Reticon output, then it functions totally fine. When it is in it's non-functioning state, if I probe the Reticon input I have signal, but when I probe the output I get static. I'm wondering if this is what happens when a BBD chip starts going bad, or if it just means that some other component connected to the BBD chip has an intermittent problem? And if the Reticon chip is okay, but something else around it is bad, do I risk damaging it by continuing to use/test it with power connected

More info:

I got this in a non-functioning state, converted from AC to DC, and then I'd get a couple seconds of effect before I'd get a "windy/staticy" noise (more like brown noise than white noise) and then the effect would cut out and I'd just have a clean signal. Bypass signal is always okay.

I tested voltages on the Reticon 5105, clock chip, and other op amps/transistors, and everything seems reasonable, except I had a lowish voltage on the Reticon output. I was thinking maybe it was a bias thing, so I tried adjusting the trims, which were all seized up, but I eventually, carefully, I got them unstuck. Moving the Reticon bias trim back and forth some brough the voltage up on the Reticon output, but where the trim was set initially seemed right judging by ear. Could whatever build up that was making the trims stick also have been making the bias connection faulty? Should I hit all those trims with some deoxit or something?

When it is working properly I get modulated signal on the output and can trace that modulated signal through the rest of the circuit with my probe.

Also weird and worth mentioning: it seems to work more reliably when I'm testing it with a sine wave and probe than when I actually have it connected to a guitar and amp. I assume it's just a coincidence, but could there be something about differences in voltages/impedances that's "jump starting" it or killing it?

Thanks!

Hey, I'm trying to fix this thing up. Its one of the AC ones. It passes signal, and does apply chorus for a few seconds after initially plugging in, but then it starts making intermittent noise and eventually the effect stops and just passes clean signal. Im guessing probably bad caps or transistors? Anyone have experience with these or tips where to start? (Im not totally new to this, Ive worked on several tube amps, and done a handful of basic pedal repairs/mods, but this is the most complicated circuit Ive tried to troubleshoot.